Narratology in Films: With Reference to Two Amharic Films— ‘Wubetin Felega’ and ‘Siryet’.

Abstract:

The literature-film debate springs from the polemics of the application of narrative elements and techniques. In film narration, as in literary works, the different narrative elements and techniques are applicable. Film narration, however, encompasses cinematic techniques that the filmmakers technically implement in a film. Cinematic components and techniques also help to produce qualitatively and aesthetically sound movies. Film narration consists of textual, visual and audio mediums. Like literature, it incorporates various approaches, methods and theories that help to narrate movie stories systematically. In film, styles of narration such as realism, formalism and classicism and different kinds of film genres have great significance. In the Ethiopian cinema, however, there have been problems in applying the literary elements and techniques and the cinematographic techniques. Most of these problems have risen from lack of sufficient manpower in every aspect of film narration and lack of adequate knowledge, technology, equipment and finance for filmmaking. Thus, the main purpose of this study was exploring the narratology of films, especially in the Amharic films.
In addition, this study aimed to explore the narrative elements, techniques and cinematographic techniques implemented in ‘Wubetin Felega’ and ‘Siryet’. It also attempted to explore the effectiveness of techniques of photography, acting style, application of light and dark, color, costume and makeup, sound effects, music, and special effects in the selected movies. The basic reason of this study was to identify the kinds of narrative elements, techniques and cinematographic techniques of film narration, and to examine their strengths and weaknesses. The study attempted to give insight to filmmakers, directors, authors and related personnel on how these elements are applied and how they can be improved. In this thesis, descriptive methods of analysis are analytically and systematically used. The two movies are scrutinized and described from the perspective of narratology.
Focusing on the notion of film narratology, the analysis section examined the functional narratological elements and techniques, and cinematographic techniques implemented in ‘Wubetin Felega’ and ‘Siryet’. In this section, the strengths and weaknesses of the narratology of the Amharic films and their aesthetic quality had thoroughly been investigated.
In conclusion, this thesis found out that the two Amharic films, ‘Wubetin Felega’ and ‘Siryet’, have limitations in implementing narrative elements and techniques, and cinematographic techniques appropriately and aesthetically. The study indicated that these limitations have evolved from lack of adequate skilled manpower, technology and finance. To minimize these limitations and improve the making of qualitatively and aesthetically sound movie, some solutions are recommended in this thesis.